Kennett lash at 'laziness'

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Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has warned Australia
against becoming a "fat and lazy" country obsessed only with global
security.

In a speech to an international business group, Mr Kennett, the
chairman of the anti-depression initiative beyondblue, urged his
audience to question an emerging complacency in Australian society
and government.

Mr Kennett said Australia was enjoying the best economic
conditions in its history after 13 years of unparalleled growth.
"And what have we done? We're not building anything," he said.

Mr Kennett said the Federal Government and the states were yet
to formulate a national scheme for water use that had community
support.

He also said there had been no fundamental change in the way
crisis-racked health services were delivered and there was a lack
of mental health funding.

Meanwhile, politicians seemed obsessed with one matter: "The
biggest issue at the moment is security, and everything else is off
the agenda.

"I'm quite certainly of the view in 2005 that not only are we
the lucky country but we are the incredibly lazy country."